Madonna will keep ramblers at bay

Madonna has won a fight to keep ramblers from wandering just yards from her country mansion.

Land adjoining the superstar's £9 million house near Salisbury, Wiltshire, will now not be classified as open countryside on new maps drawn up under the Right to Roam legislation, the Countryside Agency has said.

The singer and actress and her film director husband Guy Ritchie had personally written to Prime Minister Tony Blair expressing concern over the legislation which would have opened up a footpath 100 yards from her Grade II listed 18th Century mansion near Tollard Royal.

The American-born artist had expressed concern about her family's privacy and was worried more access would mean more curious sightseers and paparazzi on the doorstep of the eight-bedroom Ashcombe House.

A Countryside Agency spokesman said: "Like hundreds of other people, she filled out a comment sheet about the access in her area, and those comments have now been taken on board.

"There was no 'right royal battle', and she was not treated any differently to anybody else. This is why we have the consultation.

"This is the biggest mapping exercise of its type and there are instances where there is an impact upon people's privacy. If a parcel of land has been classified incorrectly, we will look at it again."

Madonna has fought to protect her privacy, partner and two young children at the mansion, a former home of society photographer Cecil Beaton.

She has complained about low-flying aircraft, suffered an attempted burglary and was ordered to take down new 12ft high security gates after failing to apply for planning permission.

Most watched News videos